Sam Vanga helps business people solve their data problems and enables them make data-driven-decisions. His specialties include data integration, data warehouse and database development, and BI design. Sam blogs at http://SamuelVanga.com.

As I learnt a few things about blogging, I made a list of tips to get better at blogging. Thought I would share.

Pour your heart out to answer a question. When someone asks a question, it means they followed your post hoping they would find an answer to their problem. If they are stuck, take responsibility. Do everything you can do to help them.

Don’t plagiarise. It is just not the right thing to do.

Don’t like your own posts. We know you like them, you don’t have to explicitly click like to show that.

Don’t start with Hi or Hello. You’re writing a blog, not a letter.

Don’t sweat it. Write what comes to you and how it comes to you.

Be natural. You’ll be at your best when you are yourself.

Use images. Images deliver the message quickly. If it’s a technical post, throw in lot of screen prints, else find a funny and relevant picture to use.

Name your images. One extra opportunity do drop keywords for SEO. Search engines read image names and rank your post better. Posts also show up in image search.

Use lists.

Check spellings. There is no excuse for spelling mistakes.

Check grammar. Difficult specially for people with foreign mother tongues (including me). It’s okay to be not perfect, but keep an eye on it.